System design for distributed applications and models in the planning process

Der Planungsprozess im Konstruktiven Ingenieurbau ist gekennzeichnet durch drei sich zyklisch wiederholende Phasen: die Phase der Aufgabenverteilung, die Phase der parallelen Bearbeitung mit entsprechenden Abstimmungen und die Phase der Zusammenführung der Ergebnisse. Die verfügbare Planungssoftware unterstützt überwiegend nur die Bearbeitung in der zweiten Phase und den Austausch der Datenbestände durch Dokumente. Gegenstand der Arbeit ist die Entwicklung einer Systemarchitektur, die in ihrem Grundsatz alle Phasen der verteilten Bearbeitung und unterschiedliche Arten der Kooperation (asynchron, parallel, wechselseitig) berücksichtigt und bestehende Anwendungen integriert. Das gemeinsame Arbeitsmaterial der Beteiligten wird nicht als Dokumentmenge, sondern als Menge von Objekt- und Elementversionen und deren Beziehungen abstrahiert. Elemente erweitern Objekte um applikationsunabhängige Eigenschaften (Features). Für die Bearbeitung einer Aufgabe werden Teilmengen auf Basis der Features gebildet, für deren Elemente neue Versionen abgeleitet und in einen privaten Arbeitsbereich geladen werden. Die Bearbeitung wird auf Operationen zurückgeführt, mit denen das gemeinsame Arbeitsmaterial konsistent zu halten ist. Die Systemarchitektur wird formal mit Mitteln der Mathematik beschrieben, verfügbare Technologie beschrieben und deren Einsatz in einem Umsetzungskonzept dargestellt. Das Umsetzungskonzept wird pilothaft implementiert. Dies erfolgt in der Umgebung des Internet in der Sprache Java unter Verwendung eines Versionsverwaltungswerkzeuges und relationalen Datenbanken.The planning process in structural engineering can be characterized by three iterative phases: the phase of distribution of tasks, the phase of parallel working with cooperation among the planners and the phase of merging the results. Available planning software does only support the second phase and the exchange of data via documents. The objective of this thesis is the development of a software architecture that supports the three phases and all types of cooperation (asynchronous, parallel and reciprocal) in principle and integrates existing engineering applications. The common planning material is abstracted as a set of object versions, element versions and their relationships. Elements extend objects with application independent properties, called features. Subsets on the base of features are calculated for the execution of tasks. Therefore new versions of elements and objects are derived and copied into the planners’s private workspace. Already stored versions remain unchanged and can be referred to. Modifications base on operations that ensure the consistency of the versioned model. The system architecture is formally described with mathematical methods. Available information technology is analyzed and used for an implementation concept. The implementation concept is proven by a pilot applicable in the Internet. The implementation is based on the programming language Java, a version control system and a relational database

Freigabebestände von strukturierten Objektversionsmengen in Bauprojekten

Die verteilte Bearbeitung gemeinsamer Produktmodelle ist im Bauwesen Gegenstand der aktuellen Forschung. Der vorgestellte Lösungsansatz bewegt sich in einem Spannungsfeld: Zum einen sollen die zu bearbeitenden Teilmengen des Produktmodells sehr flexibel durch die Planer zu bilden sein, zum anderen müssen Revisions- und Freigabestände dauerhaft und unveränderlich definiert werden. In einer versionierten Umgebung mit vielen Abhängigkeiten sind diese Anforderungen schwierig zu erfüllen. Der vorgestellte Lösungsansatz zeigt die Bildung von Revisions- und Freigabeständen, ohne die flexible verteilte Bearbeitung einzuschränken. Die Freigabestände müssen bestimmte Eigenschaften erfüllen: Es darf beispielsweise nur eine Version eines Objekts enthalten sein und es müssen die Bindungen zu anderen Objektversionen in einer konsistenten Weise berücksichtigt werden. Es wird eine mathematische Beschreibung gewählt, die auf der Mengenlehre und der Graphentheorie basiert

A Concept for CAD Systems with Persistent Versioned Data Models

The synchronous distributed processing of common source code in the software development process is supported by well proven methods. The planning process has similarities with the software development process. However, there are no consistent and similarly successful methods for applications in construction projects. A new approach is proposed in this contribution

Modelling mineral dust emissions and atmospheric dispersion with MADE3 in EMAC v2.54

It was hypothesized that using mineral dust emission climatologies in global chemistry climate models (GCCMs), i.e. prescribed monthly-mean dust emissions representative of a specific year, may lead to misrepresentations of strong dust burst events. This could result in a negative bias of model dust concentrations compared to observations for these episodes. Here, we apply the aerosol microphysics submodel MADE3 (Modal Aerosol Dynamics model for Europe, adapted for global applications, third generation) as part of the ECHAM/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry (EMAC) general circulation model. We employ two different representations of mineral dust emissions for our model simulations: (i) a prescribed monthly-mean climatology of dust emissions representative of the year 2000 and (ii) an online dust parametrization which calculates wind-driven mineral dust emissions at every model time step. We evaluate model results for these two dust representations by comparison with observations of aerosol optical depth from ground-based station data. The model results show a better agreement with the observations for strong dust burst events when using the online dust representation compared to the prescribed dust emissions setup. Furthermore, we analyse the effect of increasing the vertical and horizontal model resolution on the mineral dust properties in our model. We compare results from simulations with T42L31 and T63L31 model resolution (2.8∘×2.8∘ and 1.9∘×1.9∘ in latitude and longitude, respectively; 31 vertical levels) with the reference setup (T42L19). The different model versions are evaluated against airborne in situ measurements performed during the SALTRACE mineral dust campaign (Saharan Aerosol Long-range Transport and Aerosol-Cloud Interaction Experiment, June–July 2013), i.e. observations of dust transported from the Sahara to the Caribbean. Results show that an increased horizontal and vertical model resolution is able to better represent the spatial distribution of airborne mineral dust, especially in the upper troposphere (above 400 hPa). Additionally, we analyse the effect of varying assumptions for the size distribution of emitted dust but find only a weak sensitivity concerning these changes. The results of this study will help to identify the model setup best suited for future studies and to further improve the representation of mineral dust particles in EMAC-MADE3

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer consensus statement on immunotherapy for the treatment of prostate carcinoma.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. In recent years, several new agents, including cancer immunotherapies, have been approved or are currently being investigated in late-stage clinical trials for the management of advanced prostate cancer. Therefore, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) convened a multidisciplinary panel, including physicians, nurses, and patient advocates, to develop consensus recommendations for the clinical application of immunotherapy for prostate cancer patients. To do so, a systematic literature search was performed to identify high-impact papers from 2006 until 2014 and was further supplemented with literature provided by the panel. Results from the consensus panel voting and discussion as well as the literature review were used to rate supporting evidence and generate recommendations for the use of immunotherapy in prostate cancer patients. Sipuleucel-T, an autologous dendritic cell vaccine, is the first and currently only immunotherapeutic agent approved for the clinical management of metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The consensus panel utilized this model to discuss immunotherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer, issues related to patient selection, monitoring of patients during and post treatment, and sequence/combination with other anti-cancer treatments. Potential immunotherapies emerging from late-stage clinical trials are also discussed. As immunotherapy evolves as a therapeutic option for the treatment of prostate cancer, these recommendations will be updated accordingly

A Precision Measurement of Nuclear Muon Capture on 3He

The muon capture rate in the reaction mu- 3He -> nu + 3H has been measured at PSI using a modular high pressure ionization chamber. The rate corresponding to statistical hyperfine population of the mu-3He atom is (1496.0 +- 4.0) s^-1. This result confirms the PCAC prediction for the pseudoscalar form factors of the 3He-3H system and the nucleon.Comment: 13 pages, 6 PostScript figure

The Guaymas Basin hiking guide to hydrothermal mounds, chimneys, and microbial mats : complex seafloor expressions of subsurface hydrothermal circulation

© The Author(s), 2016. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Frontiers in Microbiology 7 (2016): 75, doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.00075.The hydrothermal mats, mounds, and chimneys of the southern Guaymas Basin are the surface expression of complex subsurface hydrothermal circulation patterns. In this overview, we document the most frequently visited features of this hydrothermal area with photographs, temperature measurements, and selected geochemical data; many of these distinct habitats await characterization of their microbial communities and activities. Microprofiler deployments on microbial mats and hydrothermal sediments show their steep geochemical and thermal gradients at millimeter-scale vertical resolution. Mapping these hydrothermal features and sampling locations within the southern Guaymas Basin suggest linkages to underlying shallow sills and heat flow gradients. Recognizing the inherent spatial limitations of much current Guaymas Basin sampling calls for comprehensive surveys of the wider spreading region.AT acknowledges a W. Reynolds research leave from UNC, Guaymas-relevant support from the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) at the University of Southern Californi

An update of the tsetse fly (Diptera: Glossinidae) distribution and African animal trypanosomosis prevalence in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An unpredicted outbreak of African animal trypanosomosis or nagana in 1990 in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal necessitated an emergency control programme, utilising the extensive cattledipping system in the area, as well as a reassessment of the tsetse and trypanosomosis problem in the province. Since 1990, sporadic blood sampling of cattle at the dip tanks in the naganainfested areas were undertaken to identify trypanosome species involved and to determine the infection prevalence in cattle. The distribution and species composition of the tsetse populations in the area were also investigated. From November 2005 to November 2007 selected dip tanks were surveyed for trypanosome infection prevalence. During April 2005 to August 2009 the distribution and abundance of tsetse populations were assessed with odour-baited H traps. The tsetse and trypanosome distribution maps were updated and potential correlations between tsetse apparent densities (ADs) and the prevalence of trypanosomosis were assessed. Glossina brevipalpis Newstead and Glossina austeni Newstead were recorded in locations where they have not previously been collected. No significant correlation between tsetse relative abundance and nagana prevalence was found, which indicated complex interactions between tsetse fly presence and disease prevalence. This was epitomised by data that indicated that despite large differences in the ADs of G. austeni and G. brevipalpis, trypanosome infection prevalence was similar in all three districts in the area. This study clearly indicated that both tsetse species play significant roles in trypanosome transmission and that it will be essential that any control strategy, which aims at sustainable management of the disease, should target both species

Targeted sequencing in DLBCL, molecular subtypes, and outcomes: a Haematological Malignancy Research Network report.

Based on the profile of genetic alterations occurring in tumor samples from selected diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients, 2 recent whole-exome sequencing studies proposed partially overlapping classification systems. Using clustering techniques applied to targeted sequencing data derived from a large unselected population-based patient cohort with full clinical follow-up (n = 928), we investigated whether molecular subtypes can be robustly identified using methods potentially applicable in routine clinical practice. DNA extracted from DLBCL tumors diagnosed in patients residing in a catchment population of ∼4 million (14 centers) were sequenced with a targeted 293-gene hematological-malignancy panel. Bernoulli mixture-model clustering was applied and the resulting subtypes analyzed in relation to their clinical characteristics and outcomes. Five molecular subtypes were resolved, termed MYD88, BCL2, SOCS1/SGK1, TET2/SGK1, and NOTCH2, along with an unclassified group. The subtypes characterized by genetic alterations of BCL2, NOTCH2, and MYD88 recapitulated recent studies showing good, intermediate, and poor prognosis, respectively. The SOCS1/SGK1 subtype showed biological overlap with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma and conferred excellent prognosis. Although not identified as a distinct cluster, NOTCH1 mutation was associated with poor prognosis. The impact of TP53 mutation varied with genomic subtypes, conferring no effect in the NOTCH2 subtype and poor prognosis in the MYD88 subtype. Our findings confirm the existence of molecular subtypes of DLBCL, providing evidence that genomic tests have prognostic significance in non-selected DLBCL patients. The identification of both good and poor risk subtypes in patients treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) clearly show the clinical value of the approach, confirming the need for a consensus classification.Bloodwise (grant number 15037) funded the majority of this study. Genetic sequencing was funded by 14M Genomics, a start-up company that ceased trading February 2016. DJH was funded by a clinician scientist fellowship from the MRC and receives core funding from Wellcome and MRC to the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. Some of the analysis in this study was performed on the “Viking” high performance computing cluster at the University of York.1

Ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, reduces arterial thrombosis via endothelial tissue factor suppression

The P2Y12 antagonist ticagrelor reduces mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), compared with clopidogrel, and the mechanisms underlying this effect are not clearly understood. Arterial thrombosis is the key event in ACS; however, direct vascular effects of either ticagrelor or clopidogrel with focus on arterial thrombosis and its key trigger tissue factor have not been previously investigated.Methods and results: Human aortic endothelial cells were treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel active metabolite (CAM) and stimulated with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); effects on procoagulant tissue factor (TF) expression and activity, its counter-player TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and the underlying mechanisms were determined. Further, arterial thrombosis by photochemical injury of the common carotid artery, and TF expression in the murine endothelium were examined in C57BL/6 mice treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel. Ticagrelor, but not CAM, reduced TNF-α-induced TF expression via proteasomal degradation and TF activity, independently of the P2Y12 receptor and the equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1), an additional target of ticagrelor. In C57BL/6 mice, ticagrelor prolonged time to arterial occlusion, compared with clopidogrel, despite comparable antiplatelet effects. In line with our in vitro results, ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, reduced TF expression in the endothelium of murine arteries.Conclusion: Ticagrelor, unlike clopidogrel, exhibits endothelial-specific antithrombotic properties and blunts arterial thrombus formation. The additional antithrombotic properties displayed by ticagrelor may explain its greater efficacy in reducing thrombotic events in clinical trials. These findings may provide the basis for new indications for ticagrelor